CLASSROOM GUIDE
THE
Classroom Guide
“The morning of Marcus Frye’s fourteenth birthday may have seemed
ordinary to some, but for him no day had ever dawned brighter.”
This opening line of the first chapter of the Rock of Ivanore will have your students agreeing
instantly that this is indeed no ordinary day. They will discover as they continue to read just
how extraordinary it is.
The Rock of Ivanore is a fantasy in the classic sense: the story of a quest; a struggle between
good and evil; the unraveling of secrets and mysteries; a setting of a world unlike our own,
but close enough to our experience to shed light on it; characters with magical powers,
but much like ourselves and people we know. It is action-packed and eventful, with a
fascinating cast of characters and rich themes.
We’ve prepared this guide to enhance your students’ reading and provide you with lessons
in literature, reading, social studies, current events, and ethics. The questions are organized
into sections that enable you to focus on the essential parts of a novel: Character, Plot,
Setting, and Theme. The questions are meant to get students to notice the
details, to stop to think about not only what is happening but what it
means, and to spark discussions among readers because sharing books
increases their pleasure.
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Character
Six boys who have reached the age of manhood are sent on a quest to retrieve an object—
the Rock of Ivanore—and return it to their village. Each student should make a chart,
using the one below as a model, outlining the characteristics of each boy and how he
relates to Marcus Frye. Your students should record their initial impressions and then add
to the chart as the story unfolds.
BOYS OF QUENDEL
Name
Characteristics
Relationship with Who does the Marcus
character remind
you of?
Over Kelvin’s objections, Marcus allows Bryn to join them on their
travels. What does this tell you about Marcus’ character? Does Marcus
remind your students of anyone they know?
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Bryn, a groc, is a strange character. He can be a ferocious monster that eats humans for
lunch or a meek little boy. What do your students think his role in the novel is?
Teens often feel confused about who they are and how they fit in. This is especially true
for Marcus. Have your class talk about his sense of being an outsider. Then have them talk
about how they some times see themselves as not belonging.
Marcus has special talents, many of which are still unknown to him. Part of the story in The
Rock of Ivanore is his discovery of them, how he learns to harness them, and when to use
and not use them. Discuss with the class his path to master those talents.
Your students also have special abilities. Have them write about what they are and what
they are doing to develop and improve upon them.
Have your students imagine they had the powers that Marcus possesses. What would they
do with them? What if those powers were in the hands of unscrupulous individuals?
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Plot
Master Zyll gives Marcus three objects for his quest: an old satchel, a key, and a staff with
a carved bird’s eye. Your students should speculate about the significance of each object.
Follow the failures and successes of Marcus as he tries to control these magical objects. In
the end, where did his magic come from?
Often we talk about how history repeats itself. Have your students talk about the meeting
of Jerrid and the blind Cyclops. How does the past impacts that event?
Ask your students to talk about the relationship between Marcus and Jayson. How does
it help Marcus perform on his quest? Why does Marcus trust Jayson? Why is he willing to
keep Jayson’s secret from the other boys?
In the end, all of the boys except Jerrid return to Quendel victoriously. Is the outcome for
Jerrid justified?
At the end of the The Rock of Ivanore, peace and harmony are restored. The Agorans are
freed, and their lands are returned to them. The boys of Quendel return with Jayson, the
Rock of Ivanore. Are your students satisfied with the ending? Is everything right with the
world? This is book one in the Celestine Chronicles. What do they think will happen in the
next book? Who do they think the main character of the next book will be, Marcus, Jayson,
or Kelvin?
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Setting
There is a map of the world of in which The Rock of Ivanore takes place at the start of the
book. Look it over with your class. As they read the novel, ask them to track the journey
of the six boys. When they come to an event that occurs at one of the places on the map,
they should make a note on a running list. For example: Marcus’ and Kelvin’s meeting
with Bryn in the Vrystal Canyon.
[Page 57]
The being that stood before them now was not at all the fierce monster Marcus had expected.
Rather, it was noting more than a little boy with hair black as ebony and eyes the color of amber.
[Page 61]
Kelvin lay unmoving on the ground. Bryn sat on his haunches beside him, his mouth stretched
unnaturally wide like a python about to swallow it’d prey.
In fantasies, the world that the author creates is as critical an element as are characters and
plot for us to understand and appreciate the book. Take the world of The Rock of Ivanore
apart and describe its inhabitants, its rules, its ethics, and its unique reality. Compare it
to other fantasy worlds your students have read about or seen in movies, as well as to the
world in which they live.
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Themes
One of the themes in The Rock of Ivanore is trust/mistrust. Discuss with the class how it
plays out in the story. Examples are the unquestioned trust Marcus has for Jayson and the
mistrust Kelvin has for Bryn.
Another theme of the novel is the relationship or lack of relationship between parent and
child. Talk about how this molds the actions of Marcus, Kelvin, Jerrid, Jayson, and Arik.
[Page 251]
Friendship is an important theme in this novel. Faced with being captured by armed
guards, Bryn tells Marcus, “Go, I will keep them from following you. You are my friend. It
is an honor to die for a friend.” Ask your students to talk about the friendships they have.
How far would they go to help a friend? Would they put their own safety in jeopardy for
the sake of a friend? Would a real friend put another at risk?
There are ethical dilemmas that we as readers face in The Rock of Ivanore. On one hand we
want the city and the realm of Dokur to be saved from the invasion of the Hestorians, yet it
is a society that not only discriminates against those that are different, but also turns a blind
eye to the enslavement of the Agorans. Have your students debate the question: “Is Dokur
worth saving?”
When Marcus questions Jayson about the safety of his mission he responds that a good
cause is worth dying for. Ask your students to weigh in on this statement. Do they believe
there are causes worth dying for? Have them identify causes in the news today that they
think are worth putting themselves on the line for.
The intermarriage of Jayson, a half-breed Agoran, to Ivanore, a human, set into
motion the conflict that almost brings ruin to the realm of Dokur. Discuss
with your class the prejudices of the humans toward the Agorans.
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes
Similar prejudices have existed in our country. In fact, it wasn’t until 1967 that the Supreme
Court struck down states’ interracial marriage laws. Your students can learn more about this
from the following websites:
NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10889047
http://www.npr.org/2011/10/14/141235709/the-changing-face-of-seeing-race
MSN
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18090277/ns/us_news-life/t/after-years-interracialmarriage-flourishing/#.T3h0cu0Tl0g
Association of MultiEthnic Americans
http://www.ameasite.org/loving.asp
This guide was created by Clifford Wohl,
Educational Consultant
The Rock of Ivanore by Laurisa White Reyes